No One Thought The Ancient Masters of the Way Were Special

On the surface, the Tao is impractical, illogical

Painting: Han Shan, Cold Mountain

The Ancient Masters of the Way

The ancient masters
lived quiet, humble lives
No one thought they were special
No one noticed them.

I describe them reluctantly
Hidden, unobtrusive
They did not try to be seen.
Cautious, aware
As if crossing river ice in winter.
Quiet, reserved
So as to not disturb others
Ephemeral, barely noticeable
Like shifting images glimpsed through the fog
Simple, quiet
Like trees in a forest.

They lived in ways, places
That allowed them to retreat into
Inner worlds.

. . .

Reflection

Mastery of one’s inner life doesn’t announce itself. The ancient masters were not noticed by those who saw them pass by. Like deep, still waters, like the forest, they simply existed.

To go unnoticed, to not seek anyone’s approval, to focus on one’s inner life, takes a kind of inner certainty about who one is, and one’s course in life, that is difficult to accomplish. It takes courage.

. . .

Question to consider:

How would you describe your relationship with your inner world? Not with any thought patterns that have to do with fears or anxiety or desires, but with what’s below that. Cast the line as far and deep as you can. Don’t stay close to shore where the water is muddy. Cast for your deepest thought or emotion.

. . .

To view this on the Zen Mountain Journal website visit here.